
stimulates the higher cerebral centers (brain) ; (2) it stimulates the heart;
(3) it has some stimulating effect upon the muscles; (4) it causes some increase
in output of urine through the kidneys; (5) in large doses it has marked toxic
effects, producing vomiting, tremor, convulsions, irregular heart action, and
even collapse; (6) its ordinary action is to produce wakefulness, nervousness,
irritability, headache, et cetera; (7) the secondary effect or reaction is fatigue
and debility.
Note the counsel of the spirit of prophecy in "The Ministry of Healing,"
pages 326, 327:
"Tea acts as a stimulant, and, to a certain extent, produces intoxication.
The action of coffee and many other popular drinks is similar. The first effect is
exhilarating. The nerves of the stomach are excited; these convey irritation to
the brain, and this in turn is aroused to impart increased action to the heart, and
short-lived energy to the entire system. . .
"The continued use of these nerve irritants is followed by headache, wake-
fulness, palpitation of the heart, indigestion, trembling, and many other evils;
for they wear away the life forces. Tired nerves need rest and quiet instead of
stimulation and overwork. Nature needs time to recuperate her exhausted
energies. When her forces are goaded on by the use of stimulants, more will
be accomplished for a time; but, as the system becomes debilitated by their
constant use, it gradually becomes more difficult to rouse the energies to the
desired point. The demand for stimulants becomes more difficult to control,
until the will is overborne, and there seems to be no power to deny the un-
natural craving."
Dr. 0. T. Osborne, Professor of Therapeutics at Yale University and an
eminent authority on the action of drugs, speaks of caffeine as follows:
"While caffeine is perhaps the best cerebral and mental stimulant we pos-
sess, and inhibits mental fatigue and allows longer continued work, it, of course,
cannot take the place of the cerebral rest caused by sleep. Consequently
while it stimulates, it leaves the brain more fatigued after its action is over,
and when it is used repeatedly as a cerebral stimulant and to prevent sleep,
when it is necessary for a person to be awake, it can do nothing but cause
general nerve and brain fatigue unless adequate sleep is obtained. . . .
"There is no question but that a caffeine habit can be acquired, whether as
such (perhaps in the form of coca-cola) or as a tea or coffee habit. Coca-cola,
tea, and coffee 'fiends' are of common occurrence."—"Principles
of Thera-
peutics,"
pp. 214, 215.
7.
On what Biblical basis can the use of tobacco be condemned? Deut.
29:18, margin; 1 Cor. 3:17.
•
8.
What specific counsel do we have regarding the use of tobacco?
ANSWER.—"Tobacco is a slow, insidious, but most malignant poison. In
whatever form it is used, it tells upon the constitution; it is all the more dan-
gerous because its effects are slow, and at first hardly perceptible. It excites
and then paralyzes-the nerves. It weakens and clouds the brain. Often it affects
the nerves in a more powerful manner than does intoxicating drink. It is more
subtle, and its effects are difficult to eradicate from the system. Its use excites
a thirst for strong drink, and in many cases lays the foundation for the liquor
habit.
"The use of tobacco is inconvenient, expensive, uncleanly, defiling to the
user, and offensive to others. Its devotees are encountered everywhere. You
rarely pass through a crowd but some smoker puffs his poisoned breath in your
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